People gathered in Marshall Park on Saturday for Charlotte’s March for Science, part of a global March for Science calling for funding for research. Many also protested President Trump’s environmental policies. lvsmith@charlotteobserver.comLaVendrick Smith

People gathered in Marshall Park on Saturday for Charlotte’s March for Science, part of a global March for Science calling for funding for research. Many also protested President Trump’s environmental policies. lvsmith@charlotteobserver.comLaVendrick Smith

Fearing threats to climate, looming budget cuts, 1,000 march in Charlotte for science

An estimated 1,000 people gathered in Marshall Park in uptown Charlotte Saturday to recognize Earth Day and rally for funding for scientific research as a part of a global March for Science.

Fearing a changing climate, federal budget cuts and environmental policies from President Donald Trump, the marchers took to the streets and circled around a few blocks near the park. They demanded support for research funding and evidence-based environmental policies.

Tina Maguylo, a co-organizer for Charlotte’s march, said the main focus was about educating people on how science impacts their daily lives. There were tents set up before the march where participants learned about issues affecting science in fields including climate, health and technology.

Maguylo said she hopes people took what they learned Saturday and were inspired to tell government representatives to not make cuts to science programs.

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The march attracted many people from the scientific community, but also people from all educational and job backgrounds showed up in support.

A police official estimated that about 1,000 people attended the rally. Many were weary about the direction of climate change.

Signs at the rally included “There’s no Planet B,” and “I’m with her,” with arrows pointing to Earth. Others made statements with science jokes, including a sign that said “don’t take geology for granite.”

Beth Tibbetts fought back tears as she marched and spoke about her feelings toward Trump’s stance on environmental science.

“Every policy that he does is just an assault,” Tibbetts, of Matthew, said. “Any policy he does regarding the environment is an assault on it.”

Tibbetts said the president’s self-stated view that climate change is a hoax has her worried about the future for her children. “Science is truth, and it’s the closest thing we have to truth,” she said.

Behrooz Bajestani, a civil engineer, held up an image of Earth with the words “protect us” covering the planet. Like most people on Saturday, he wanted scientific-based policies enacted to protect the planet.